A WORKING farm with a homestead to die for could be yours with the listing of “Wyatts Creek” at Armidale.
The stunning 428 hectare property is tucked away from peering eyes near Eastern Fall.
With room to run about 130 breeding cattle plus harvestable timber assets, the property is being marketed through Colliers International agent Richard Royle.
Mr Royle said the property was renowned for its unspoilt natural beauty and fertile soils.
With an annual rainfall of 941 millimetres, pasture abounds on the arable country where species include phalaris, cocksfoot, fescue and clovers, along with a variety of native and naturalised species.
Timbered country features include millable species of stringybark, messmate, Sydney blue gum, white gum and tallowwood.
The owners, who chose not be named for this article, selected “Wyatts Creek” for its pristine environment and privacy. They wanted a property where their Brisbane-based family could join them for family weekends and holidays.
The design of the homestead was very important to them. They wanted the building to blend in seamlessly with the landscape. They ran a small design competition inviting three architects to provide concept plans before deciding on the preferred architect and interior designer to bring the project to life. Construction began in in 1994.
Materials chosen by designers included blue bricks from Armidale and hardwood timber from the neighbouring Styx River Forest.
Tallowwood was chosen to create the verandah; brushbox for the polished floors; and Ware Collingwood for the handcrafted parquetry floor, hardwood windows and verandah louvers.
Some of the timber used for the construction of the house was originally destined for Parliament House.
The red steel columns that frame the house were designed to represent the red of eucalypt leaves which appear at a particular time of year.
The two storey home sits upon a knoll, providing commanding views north and east across the private valley.
The low-maintenance garden boarders onto an established hazelnut orchard.
There is potential for the new owner of “Wyatts Creek” to seasonally graze 6,390ha in the Styx River Forest. The current owners have ‘occupational permits’ to do so which may be transferred.
The expressions of interest campaign for this property closes April 20.